NATIVES AND RATES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 454, 6 April 1912, Page 5

NATIVES AND RATES.

COUNTY REVENUE INCREASING

In connection with the collection of rates on native-owned lands, Mr P. Mora, clerk for the Waitomo County Council, states that the natives in the county are accepting their responsibilities freely. Rates are coming to hand satisfactorily and everything indicates that the natives are fully prepared to meet the claims of the local authorities. The process of collection is naturally simple and direct in the case of owners who have their interests individualised, and no difficulty is experienced in convincing the owner of his liability.

In the case of a block in which a number of owners are interested however, the task is not so simple. The last amendment to the Rating Act makes provision for any one of the interested parties being proclaimed the nominated native owner of the whole block. A demand notice is issued tu such owner for the whole amount of rates due on the block, and judgment may be obtained against the block in the name of such nominated owner. Upon such judgment being registered against the title of the land the amount due for rates has to be liquidated before the land can be dealt with in any way. The local body is thus amply protected, though delay may ensue in collecting the rates. On the other hand it is apparent that hardship may ensue to the nominated owner. In the case where a nominated owner is willing to pay the whole amount of rates due on a block in order to keep the title free from encumbrance, no provision has been made for such owner acquiring any security on the interests of the other individual owners in the block in order to get repayment to him of the other owners' share of the rates. This point has already been raised by natives wishing to keep free from encumbrance blocks in which they are interested. Evidently the authorities in framing the amendment did not anticipate the creation of such a position. The point, however, i> of considerable importance, ami it is to be. hoped no time will be lost in having a clause inserted in the Act to remedy the matter.